AN INQUIRY has been launched at a Birmingham adult care home over claims that managers were flouting drug dispensing rules.

The investigation is centred on the Firs residential unit, in Springfield Street, Ladywood, where one person with learning disabilities was claimed to have received a double dose of medication because of alleged lapses in procedure.

A letter detailing the allegations was sent to Leslie Heale, a city council director of social care and health, and has been passed to the Birmingham Mail.

A council spokeswoman said: "We were aware of the concerns before the letter and a full investigation is already under way. That is still ongoing and until that is complete we cannot discuss it further."

The unit deals with residents with extreme behaviour, such as Down's Syndrome, who have the mental age of young children.

The source of the letter, whose identity is known to the Mail but wishes to remain anonymous, said that instead of having the same member of staff witness medication being taken out of the wrapping and given to the resident, different workers were called to acknowledge the drugs had been swallowed.

Unit manager Katie Meakin told the Mail : "I need to refer you to the press office. I am sorry I have no comment."